ON COURSE? The UPDF Engineering Brigade is working day and night to renovate Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, as Uganda races to prepare its facilities for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Uganda’s preparations to co-host AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania are progressing, with major construction and renovation works underway at stadiums and training facilities across the country.
NAMBOOLE RENOVATION GATHERS PACE
At Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, the UPDF Engineering Brigade is overseeing renovation works aimed at bringing the facility up to the standards required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The project, which began in June 2026, involves extensive improvements to the stadium’s infrastructure, including its roofing, seating, floodlighting and other essential facilities.
To accelerate the work, construction teams are operating around the clock, with activities continuing both during the day and at night.
The brigade has also divided the project into smaller work packages, allowing several teams to work on different sections simultaneously instead of waiting for one phase to be completed before starting another.
Lt Col Peter Sseku Kidemuka, the brigade’s AFCON project lead, explained that the approach was necessary to maintain progress and meet the construction deadline.
“If we were to wait, we would not be there,” he said, highlighting the importance of parallel operations in speeding up the renovation.
The strategy is intended to ensure that the stadium is ready in time for the continental tournament, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania in 2027.
The renovation includes plans to increase the stadium’s capacity to approximately 48,000 seats, improve floodlighting and replace the existing roof canopy to provide shelter for spectators across the stands.
Other improvements target hospitality facilities, media areas, power supply and general stadium operations.
GULU AND OTHER TRAINING FACILITIES
While Namboole’s renovation continues, progress at some regional training grounds tajes shape.
At Gulu University, the training-ground project was reported to have major points complete during the latest assessment such as the sewage flow systems,the playing pitch among others.
King George Stadium in Masindi was also reported to be on schedule, with construction progress standing at 39.5 per ce
Hoima City Stadium had addressed approximately 95 per cent of the defects identified during an earlier CAF inspection, according to a September update by the Local Organising Committee. (LOC).
Other facilities, including Kyambogo University Playground, FUFA Stadium Kadiba and the training grounds at Lira University, are also part of Uganda’s wider preparations.
THE RACE AGAINST TIME
Uganda’s AFCON infrastructure programme requires close coordination among government agencies, contractors and sports authorities to ensure that the designated venues meet CAF requirements.
The experience at Namboole demonstrates how parallel construction activities and round-the-clock work can help accelerate a major infrastructure project.
As the December 2026 completion target approaches for major works, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether Uganda can deliver the necessary infrastructure ahead of AFCON 2027.
Daily MirrorUG | Sports Desk
